Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 6,003	$ 4,824	$ 4,682	$ 4,363	$ 5,090	$ 4,683	$ 4,748	$ 4,248	$ 19,872	$ 18,769	$ 18,143
Cost of products sold	4,977	3,997	3,895	3,608	4,181	3,837	3,931	3,522	16,477	15,471	15,250
Operating profit	281	335	291	281	354	313	328	254	1,188	1,249	869
Interest and sundry income (expense)	(64)	(39)	(16)	(23)	(82)	(16)	(39)	(18)	(142)	(155)	(112)
Net earnings	108	235	185	164	187	199	206	257	692	849	425
Net earnings available to Whirlpool	$ 81	$ 230	$ 179	$ 160	$ 181	$ 196	$ 198	$ 252	$ 650	$ 827	$ 401
Per share of common stock:
Basic net earnings	$ 1.04	$ 2.92	$ 2.29	$ 2.06	$ 2.31	$ 2.46	$ 2.48	$ 3.18	$ 8.30	$ 10.42	$ 5.14
Diluted net earnings	$ 1.02	$ 2.88	$ 2.25	$ 2.02	$ 2.26	$ 2.42	$ 2.44	$ 3.12	$ 8.17	$ 10.24	$ 5.06
Dividends paid, per share (USD per share)	$ 0.75	$ 0.75	$ 0.75	$ 0.625	$ 0.625	$ 0.625	$ 0.625	$ 0.50	$ 2.88	$ 2.38	$ 2.00
Market price range of common stock
High	$ 196.71	$ 156.13	$ 156.71	$ 160.01	$ 159.22	$ 151.84	$ 134.09	$ 120.00
Low	$ 139.85	$ 135.37	$ 136.64	$ 124.39	$ 129.22	$ 111.70	$ 107.88	$ 101.74
Close	$ 193.74	$ 145.65	$ 139.22	$ 149.46	$ 156.86	$ 146.44	$ 114.36	$ 118.46